Bubba Ho-tep

Name: Bubba Ho-tep
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Released: September 26, 2003
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis

2003

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

See All

7.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Bubba Ho-Tep

Now Playing: Bubba Ho-Tep

Movie Details & Credits

Vitagraph Films | Release Date: September 26, 2003 | R

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis

Summary: Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominated short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the "true" story of what really did become of Elvis. (Silver Sphere Corporation)

Director: Don Coscarelli

Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 92 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Pete Vonder Haar

I loved this film; from the opening “Ben-Hur” nod to the hieroglyph subtitles, it's simultaneously hilarious and poignant, with great performances. Read full review

Scott Foundas

Campbell is flat-out great, muting his beloved Sam Raimi shtick in favor of a genuine character turn, an act of transformation that makes you wonder why he's never been called on to interpret Elvis before. Read full review

James Berardinelli

As a satire and an off-the-wall comedy, Bubba Ho-Tep hits the bullseye. As a horror movie, it's less successful. Maybe we're too busy laughing to be scared. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Based on a short story by Joe R. Lansdale, this low-key oddity stresses character over broad laughs and shock effects, allowing Campbell and Davis to develop a quirky rapport that's a real pleasure to watch. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Mismatched marriage of offbeat character study and unimaginative horror riffs. Most compelling element by far is Bruce Campbell's inspired performance as a nursing home patient who insists he is the real Elvis Presley. Read full review

Desson Thomson

A leisurely paced, subtly funny, though verbally crude chamber piece. Read full review

David Sterritt

Davis contributes his usual dignity -- not easy when you're playing a character who thinks he's John F. Kennedy dyed black -- but it's not enough to save this silly thriller-comedy. Read full review

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

john2047

Aug 20, 2020

By 2100, this will be regarded as most prescient movie ever produced concerning US Presidents.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BillS.

Apr 11, 2006

Outrageous plot. Crazy characters. Delicious dialogue. How could you not love this movie? Although it is not very scary (for a horror film, that is), it sure is entertaining. Don't rent it, buy it. You won't be sorry.

2 of 3 users found this helpful

Coriolanus

Jul 11, 2012

This is one of my all time favorite films. From the subtle horror to the warm and genuine relationship that the two main characters develop this movie has more heart in it then just about anything you see today. Many think it's a horror film about about a mummy but the real horror is justThis is one of my all time favorite films. From the subtle horror to the warm and genuine relationship that the two main characters develop this movie has more heart in it then just about anything you see today. Many think it's a horror film about about a mummy but the real horror is just what we as a society do to our older generations. Fantastic film.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

TheQuietGamer

Nov 12, 2015

Bruce Campbell gives a fantastic performance as Elvis Presley in this b-rated bit of horror-comedy excellence. Things are definitely on the cheesy side. However the humor is actually pretty smart even when the jokes themselves are juvenile. There's a surprising drama element to the film.Bruce Campbell gives a fantastic performance as Elvis Presley in this b-rated bit of horror-comedy excellence. Things are definitely on the cheesy side. However the humor is actually pretty smart even when the jokes themselves are juvenile. There's a surprising drama element to the film.

For all of it's jokes and mummy madness this is actually a tale about regret. Themes like wondering if you've lived your life to the fullest and moving on from past mistakes run strong here. It gives the film a little bit of heart.

It's an odd combination of ideas and themes that all work well together in the end. The pacing might be a little slow, but with dialog this sharp and a concept this goofy it's hard to not enjoy it all the way through. It's worth watching for Campbell's portrayal of Elvis alone. The humor, heart, and goofy horror are all just bonuses.

I give "Bubba Ho-Tep" a 9.2/10.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Rox22

Sep 23, 2013

Elvis vs The Mummy.

This movie couldn't be any more B-list horror movie if it tried. The acting is average, the plot is absurd and utterly unbelievable and the effects are average at best. Yet, like anything with Campbell in it, it has a certain charm to it. As absurd as it might be,Elvis vs The Mummy.

This movie couldn't be any more B-list horror movie if it tried. The acting is average, the plot is absurd and utterly unbelievable and the effects are average at best. Yet, like anything with Campbell in it, it has a certain charm to it.

As absurd as it might be, this movie is allot of fun and works better as a comedy than as a horror.

Overall:
You go into this movie expecting it to be bad. The name and the premise should be enough of a clue. Yet, low expectations do have a way of making something bad seem good. And in this case, that is exactly what it it. This is a fun enjoyable crap movie (if that makes any sense.)… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Halfwelshman

Sep 30, 2012

Considering the title, you'd expect the film to truly bloody awful. In fact, it's weird, wonderful, funny and surprisingly tender. Bubba Ho-tep is the best, and only film about an elderly Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) defending his retirement home from an Egyptian mummy wearing a stetson,Considering the title, you'd expect the film to truly bloody awful. In fact, it's weird, wonderful, funny and surprisingly tender. Bubba Ho-tep is the best, and only film about an elderly Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) defending his retirement home from an Egyptian mummy wearing a stetson, with a little help from a black JFK (Ossie Davis). The first half of the film is well-paced, funny and rather deep and emotionally compelling for a film with such a seemingly lowbrow premise. Campbell is absolutely captivating as The King, who swapped lives with an impersonator (who was the one who eventually died on the toilet) to escape the increasingly suffocating attention of his fans. He lives out his twilight years in obscurity, regret and extreme depression in an isolated nursing home in Texas, until something odd begins to happen. The film explores mortality and memory in an unexpectedly intelligent and sensitive way (it's ultimately left to the viewer to decide whether Campbell's character is really Elvis or just some old codger with mental health problems), but at the same time it's not above the odd crude joke and some brilliantly trashy comic horror set pieces. The final few minutes of the film are admittedly a bit of a drag, and are appear to have been put together rather hastily, but you'll hardly care when you've had such a good time throughout. Bubba Ho-tep is a superb, surprisingly clever and heartfelt A-quality B-Movie, with Bruce Campbell's best performance outside his Sam Raimi collaborations.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

LennyS.

Aug 14, 2006

Bleegh. Cute idea goes off the rails, bores you stiff.

1 of 3 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS